Verbena plant named &#39;Sunvivabupa&#39;

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a Verbena plant which has erect growth habit and good plant height. The plant has plentiful flowers in a spike, and great profusion of blooms. The blooming period is late April to November and flowering duration is long. The whole bush remains in bloom for a considerable period of time. The flower size is large and the petal color of the flowers is vivid violet without eye. The plant is highly tolerant to heat and cold, and has high resistances to pests and diseases, particularly powdery mildew, and high resistance to rain.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

[0001] The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety ofverbena plant obtained from crossing a Verbena hybrida ‘Ministar’ (♀)and a wild type of verbena plant Verbena peruviana (♂) native to Brazil.

[0002] Verbena is a very popular plant and is used for flower beddingand potting in the summer season. There are only a few varieties ofVerbena plants which have abundant branching, many flowers in a spike, along flowering duration and which have a high resistance to rain, heat,cold, and disease. Accordingly, this invention was aimed at obtaining anew variety having a erect growth habit, strong branching, many flowersin a spike, large diameter flowers, a high tolerance to heat and cold,and resistances to diseases and pests, and also having a vivid violetcolor petal.

[0003] The new variety of Verbena plant according to this inventionoriginated from crossing a Verbena hybrida ‘Ministar’ (♀) and a wildtype of verbena plant Verbena peruviana VBE (♂) native to Brazil.

[0004] First of all, 40 seedlings were obtained in the autumn of 1992,from crossing ‘Ministar’ as female parent and a wild type of verbenaplant VBE (Verbena peruviana f. rosea) as pollen parent in the May of1992. From this crossing, 12 seedlings were selected in view of erectgrowth habit and petal color, and propagated by cutting, and then grownas a trial by flower bedding and planter from the spring of 1993 to theautumn of 1994. The botanical characteristics of the 12 seedlings wereexamined and finally one seedling was selected, using parent varietiesand similar varieties ‘Ministar’ and a wild type of verbena plantVerbena peruviana VBE for comparison. As a result, it was concluded thatthis Verbena is distinguishable from any other variety whose existenceis known to us, and is uniform and stable in its characteristics. Thisnew variety of Verbena plant was named ‘Sunvivabupa’.

[0005] In the following description, the color-coding is in accordancewith the Horticultural Color Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England (R.H.S. Color Chart), and the Inter-Society ColorCouncil-National Bureau of Standards Color Name (I.S.C.C.-N.B.S. ColorName). A color chart based on The Japan Color Standard for HorticulturalPlant (J.H.S. Color Chart) is also added for reference.

[0006] ‘Ministar’, used as female parent in the obtaining of this newvariety ‘Sunvivabupa’, is on the market. The main botanicalcharacteristics of ‘Ministar’ are as follows.

[0007] Plant:

[0008]Growth habit.—Erect.

[0009]Plant extension.—Narrow.

[0010]Plant height.—Medium.

[0011] Stem:

[0012]Diameter.—Medium. (3-4.mm).

[0013]Anthocyanin pigmentation.—Absent.

[0014]Pubescence.—Present.

[0015]Prickle.—Absent.

[0016]Branching.—Medium.

[0017]Subterranean stem.—Absent.

[0018]Length of internode.—Medium. (2-3 cm).

[0019] Leaf:

[0020]Phyllotaxis.—Opposite.

[0021]Shape of blade.—Hastate. (Type II).

[0022]Blade incision.—Present.

[0023]Depth of blade incision.—Shallow.

[0024]Shape of leaf margin.—Serrated.

[0025]Length. Medium.—(4-5 cm).

[0026]Width.—Medium. (2-3 cm).

[0027]Color.—Dark yellow green (R.H.S. color chart 146A, JHS color chartNo. 3508).

[0028]Pubescence.—Present.

[0029]Petiole.—Absent.

[0030] Flower:

[0031]Shape of cluster.—Obconical. (Type II).

[0032]Spike length.—Medium. (3-4 cm).

[0033]Spike diameter.—Medium.

[0034]Facing direction.—Upward.

[0035]Outward curvature of petal.—Curved.

[0036]Diameter.—Large. (20 mm).

[0037]Height.—Medium.

[0038]Color of petal.—Deep purple. (R.H.S. color chart No. 86A, J.H.S.color chart No. 8307).

[0039]Eye color.—Present.

[0040]Size of eye color.—Medium.

[0041]Varigation.—Absent.

[0042]Color presentation.—Substantially even.

[0043]Overlapping of petals.—Separate.

[0044]Incision of petal.—Present.

[0045]Number of petals.—Medium.

[0046]Calyx incision.—Present.

[0047]Calyx length.—Long. (10-15 mm).

[0048]Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb.—Present.

[0049]Pistil shape.—Two lobes.

[0050]Stamen number.—Medium.

[0051]Anther color.—Yellowish green.

[0052]Peduncle diameter.—Thin.

[0053]Peduncle length.—Medium.

[0054]Number of flowers.—Many.

[0055]Flower fragrance.—Present.

[0056]Flowering time.—Medium.

[0057]Flowering duration.—Medium.

[0058] Physiological and ecological characteristics:

[0059]Tolerance to cold.—Low.

[0060]Tolerance to heat.—Low.

[0061]Resistance to diseases.—Low.

[0062]Resistance to pests.—Low.

[0063] The pollen parent was used in the obtaining of this new variety‘Sunvivabupa’ was a wild type of verbena native to South Brazil andVerbena peruviana. This wild type of verbena plant VBE is presentlymaintained at the Hakushu Nursery Center of SUNTORY Ltd., residing at2913-1 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi-ken, Japan. Themain botanical characteristics of this pollen parent VBE are as follows.

[0064] Plant:

[0065]Growth habit.—Erect.

[0066]Plant extension.—Medium.

[0067]Plant height.—High.

[0068] Stem:

[0069]Diameter.—Medium.

[0070]Anthocyanin pigmentation.—Present.

[0071]Pubescence.—Dense.

[0072]Prickle.—Absent.

[0073]Branching.—Abundant.

[0074]Subterranean stem.—Absent.

[0075]Length of internode.—Medium.

[0076] Leaf:

[0077]Phyllotaxis.—Opposite.

[0078]Shape of blade.—Hastate. (Type II). Blade incision.—Present.

[0079]Depth of blade incision.—Shallow.

[0080]Shape of leaf margin.—Crenated.

[0081]Length.—Medium.

[0082]Width.—Medium.

[0083]Color.—Dark yellow green (R.H.S. color chart 146A, JHS color chartNo.3508).

[0084]Pubescence.—Dense.

[0085]Petiole.—Absent.

[0086] Flower:

[0087]Shape of cluster.—Turbinate. (Type I).

[0088]Spike length.—Medium.

[0089]Spike diameter.—Medium.

[0090]Facing direction.—Upward.

[0091]Outward curvature of petal.—Curved.

[0092]Diameter.—Medium.

[0093]Height.—Medium.

[0094]Color of petal.—Brilliant purple (R.H.S. color chart No. 86D,J.H.S. color chart No. 8305).

[0095]Eye color.—Present.

[0096]Size of eye color.—Medium.

[0097]Varigation.—Absent.

[0098]Color presentation.—Substantially even.

[0099]Overlapping of petals.—Separate.

[0100]Incision of petal.—Present.

[0101]Number of petals.—Medium.

[0102]Calyx incision.—Present.

[0103]Calyx length.—Long.

[0104]Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb.—Present.

[0105]Pistil shape.—Two lobes.

[0106]Stamen number.—Medium.

[0107]Anther color.—Yellowish green.

[0108]Peduncle diameter.—Thin.

[0109]Peduncle length.—Short.

[0110]Number of flowers.—Few.

[0111]Flower fragrance.—Absent.

[0112]Flowering time.—Very late

[0113]Flowering duration.—Long.

[0114] Physiological and ecological characteristics:

[0115]Tolerance to cold.—High.

[0116]Tolerance to heat.—High.

[0117]Resistance to diseases.—High.

[0118]Resistance to pests.—High.

[0119] The new variety of Verbena plant ‘Sunvivabupa’ was asexuallyreproduced by cutting at the aforementioned Hakushu Nursery Center ofSUNTORY Ltd., residing at 2913-1 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun,Yamanashi-ken, Japan, and the homogeneity and stability thereof wereconfirmed.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

[0120] This new variety of Verbena plant has erect growth habit havinglong stems and good plant height. The plant has many branchings andplentiful flowers in a spike, and great profusion of blooms. Theblooming period is late April to November and the flowering duration islong. The whole bush remains in bloom for a considerable period of time.The flower size is large and the petal color of the flower is vividviolet without eye. The plant is highly tolerant to heat and cold, andhas a high resistance to pests and diseases, particularly powderymildew, and high resistance to rain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0121]FIG. 1 is photograph giving a partial view of the new variety ofverbena plant planted in the ground.;

[0122]FIG. 2 is a photograph of flowers of the new variety of verbenaplant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

[0123] The botanical characteristics of the new and distinct variety ofverbena plant, ‘Sunvivabupa’ are as follows.

[0124] Plant:

[0125]Growth habit.—Erect.

[0126]Plant extension.—Medium.

[0127]Plant height.—High. (30-40 cm).

[0128] Stem:

[0129]Diameter.—Medium. (2-3.mm). Anthocyanin pigmentation.—Present.

[0130]Pubescence.—Dense.

[0131]Prickle.—Absent.

[0132]Branching.—Abundant.

[0133]Subterranean stem.—Absent.

[0134]Length of internode.—Medium. (3-4 cm).

[0135] Leaf:

[0136]Phyllotaxis.—Opposite.

[0137]Shape of blade.—Hastate. (Type II).

[0138]Blade incision.—Present.

[0139]Depth of blade incision.—Shallow.

[0140]Shape of leaf margin.—Crenated.

[0141]Length.—Medium. (4-5 cm).

[0142]Width.—Broad. (3-4 cm).

[0143]Color.—Dark yellow green. (R.H.S. color chart No. 146A, J.H.S.color chart No. 3509).

[0144]Pubescence.—Present.

[0145]Petiole.—Present.

[0146]Petiole diameter.—Medium.

[0147]Petiole length.—Medium.

[0148] Flower:

[0149]Shape of cluster.—Turbinate. (Type I).

[0150]Spike length.—Medium. (3-4 cm).

[0151]Spike diameter.—Medium. (5-6 cm).

[0152]Facing direction.—Upward.

[0153]Outward curvature of petal.—Curved.

[0154]Diameter.—Large. (15-20 mm).

[0155]Height.—Medium.

[0156]Color of petal.—Vivid violet. (R.H.S. color chart No. 89C, J.H.S.color chart No. 8311).

[0157]Eye color.—Absent.

[0158]Varigation.—Absent.

[0159]Color presentation.—Substantially even.

[0160]Overlapping of petals.—Separate.

[0161]Incision of petal.—Present.

[0162]Number of petals.—Medium.

[0163]Calyx incision.—Present.

[0164]Calyx length.—Long. (10-15 mm).

[0165]Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb.—Present.

[0166]Pistil shape.—Two lobes.

[0167]Stamen number.—Medium.

[0168]Anther color.—Yellowish green.

[0169]Peduncle diameter.—Thin.

[0170]Peduncle length.—Medium.

[0171]Number of flowers.—Medium.

[0172]Flower fragrance.—Absent.

[0173]Flowering time.—Late.

[0174]Flowering duration.—Long.

[0175] Physiological and ecological characteristics:

[0176]Tolerance to cold.—High.

[0177]Tolerance to heat.—High.

[0178]Resistance to diseases.—High.

[0179]Resistance to pests.—High.

[0180] This new variety of Verbena plant is most suitable for flowerbedding and potting, particularly in planters, and is further excellentfor ground cover.

[0181] The plant of this new variety, ‘Sunvivabupa’ is presently plantedand maintained at the Hakushu Nursery Center of SUNTORY Ltd., residingat 2913-1 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi-ken, Japan.

1. A new and distinct variety of Verbena plant, substantially as hereinillustrated and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by(A) having a erect growth habit, (B) having plentiful flowers in a spikeand great profusion blooms, the whole bush remaining in bloom for aconsiderable period of time, (C) having a long flowering duration, (D)having a large flower size and the petal color of the flowers being avivid violet without eye, (E) having high resistances to rain, heat,drought, cold, diseases and pests.